Apple Valley Marriage License Records

Apple Valley residents apply for a marriage license through Dakota County. The city of Apple Valley does not issue marriage licenses. The closest Dakota County license center for Apple Valley residents is the Burnsville location at 1380 Highway 13 W. Both people who plan to marry must come in together, show valid ID, and pay the license fee. You can search Apple Valley area marriage records for free using the state's online tool at moms.mn.gov.

Dakota County License Centers Near Apple Valley

Apple Valley sits in the southern part of Dakota County. The Burnsville License Center at 1380 Highway 13 W, Burnsville, MN 55337 is one of the closer options for Apple Valley residents. The Lakeville License Center at 17685 Juniper Path, Lakeville, MN 55044 is also nearby. Call Dakota County at 651-438-4312 to ask which location is most convenient or to check current hours. You can also email dakotacountyvitals@co.dakota.mn.us.

Dakota County runs license centers in West St. Paul, Burnsville, Lakeville, Rosemount, and Hastings. You can apply at any of them regardless of which part of the county you live in. The county's license center page at co.dakota.mn.us/PropertyRecordsTaxes/LicenseCenters lists all locations with addresses. The full marriage license page is at co.dakota.mn.us/Permits/MarriageLicensesCertificates.

Apple Valley City Hall at 7100 147th St W and the Apple Valley City Clerk handle city functions. The City of Apple Valley website covers local government information. Marriage licenses are a Dakota County function. Do not go to city hall for a marriage license.

Apple Valley City Government and Marriage License

The City of Apple Valley manages local government services while Dakota County handles marriage licenses for all Apple Valley residents.

Apple Valley residents who need a marriage license travel to one of the Dakota County License Centers, with the Burnsville location at 1380 Highway 13 W and the Lakeville location both being close options.

What to Bring When Applying

Both people must come to the license center at the same time. Each person needs a valid, current government photo ID. A state driver's license, a state-issued ID card, or a current passport all work. The ID must not be expired. You also need to know your Social Security number. You usually do not need to show the actual card, but you must be able to give the number.

If either applicant was previously married, bring proof the prior marriage ended. A certified final divorce decree or a death certificate is what the county requires. Both applicants are subject to this rule. Under Minn. Stat. sec. 517.03, prior marriages must be fully dissolved before a new license can be issued in Minnesota.

Both people must be at least 18. If one is 16 or 17, a parent or guardian must provide written consent under Minn. Stat. sec. 517.04. No one younger than 16 can get a license. There is no blood test requirement and no residency requirement. You do not need to live in Apple Valley or Dakota County to apply at a Dakota County location. The license is valid statewide for six months.

Note: You may get married in any county in Minnesota, regardless of where the license was issued.

Dakota County Fees and Timing

The standard marriage license fee in Dakota County is $125. Couples who both complete at least 12 hours of premarital education from a county-approved program qualify for a reduced fee of $50. You must bring proof of the class when you apply. The reduction does not apply after the fact.

There is no waiting period in Minnesota. The state dropped the old 5-day wait in September 2016. You apply, pay, and take your license home the same day. The license stays valid for six months. If it expires before your wedding, you start over. Plan your application timing around your wedding date so the two line up within the six-month window.

Confirm the current fee at co.dakota.mn.us before your visit. Fees can change.

Searching Apple Valley Marriage Records

Dakota County participates in the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS). You can search Apple Valley and Dakota County marriage records for free at moms.mn.gov. Enter a last name to start. You can add a first name to narrow results. The system shows both spouses, the county, and the license date. No account is needed and there is no charge. Dakota County records in MOMS go back into the mid-1800s.

MOMS is an index and does not give you a full copy of the certificate. To get an official certified copy, go through the Minnesota Department of Health. The MDH fee is $9 per certified copy. Order forms and instructions for mail and in-person requests are at health.state.mn.us. You can also check the MDH county registrar directory at health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/registrars.html to contact Dakota County directly.

Older Apple Valley and Dakota County Marriage Records

For genealogy and historical research covering Apple Valley and the rest of Dakota County, the Minnesota Historical Society is the main resource. The MNHS marriage records guide at libguides.mnhs.org/vital/marriage explains what records exist and where to find them. Dakota County is one of the original Minnesota counties and has records going back to the territorial period. MOMS covers most of what has been digitized. Records that are not in MOMS may be at the MNHS State Archives in St. Paul or held by the county itself.

The MDH marriage reporting page explains how registration is distributed across county and state offices in Minnesota. If you are not finding a record in MOMS, that page can help you figure out where to look next. The MNHS library in St. Paul is open to the public and has staff who can assist with vital records research.

Nearby Cities

These Minnesota cities also route marriage license applications through their county offices.

County Marriage License Office

Marriage license applications for Apple Valley are handled by Dakota County. The closest Dakota County License Centers to Apple Valley are in Burnsville at 1380 Highway 13 W and in Lakeville at 17685 Juniper Path.